Toy



Jun 17, 17941'. N. F. RUTHERFORD TOY 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 4, 1939 Gum/mug# June 17, 1941.

N. FQ RUTHERFORD 2,245,875 l TOY .Filed Dec' 4' 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 M f m W June 17, 1941.

N. F. RUTHERFORD TOY Filed Dec. 4, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 17, 1941. N. F. RUTHERFORD TOY Filed nec. 4. 1939 June 17, 1941 N. F. RUTHERFORD TOY Filed Dec. 4, l19259 7 Sheefcs-Sheet 5 Jurfxe 17, 1941.

N, F, RUTl-HERFQRD` TOY '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 4, 1959 Patented June 1'7, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Tor Norman F.' Rutherford, Central Islip, N. Y. Application December 4, 1939, serial No. 307,512

-11 Claims. (ol. 46,-16) Y The invention relates to toys and has as an object the provision of a toy which is a development of and improvement upon the toy known for years under the name of Jacobs ladder.

It is a further object of theinvention to provide a toy which may assume many forms because of the embodiment therein of double acting hinges.

It is a further object of the invention to -provide a Jacobs ladder type Iof toy comprising a plurality` of 'blocks joined by 4doul'nle acting hinges, the end units of the thus formed series connected together also by double acting hinges to .produce a closed system :capable of many and y astonishing movements.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a toy of the class described which'may be provided with surfaces of diierent colors to render t-he manipulation thereof more attractive.

It is a still further object of f the invention to provide a toy joined by doubleV acting hinges, the hinge` members displaying diiferent'colors upon the. opposite sides thereof. Y y

Further objects ofthe invention will appear from the following description when read in connection with the accompanyingdrawings showing illustrative embodiments of thepinvention, and wherein:

Figure 1 is aplanview of a pair Iof Iblocks connected with a double acting hinge;

i Fig. 2 is an edge view of the structure Y' ofFigurel; v w

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a second shape of block;

Fig. 4. is anedge view ofthe block of Figure 2 illustrating the action of the double acting hinge;

Fig. 5 is a central vertical section of the blocks of Figure 2 with the double acting `hinge actu-v ated in the opposite direction from that shown in Figure 4; .l

Fig. 6 is an edge view of -a Yplurality of blocks connected with double acting hinges and .brought to iposition for connection of the end `elements of the series face to face to complete the toy of one form of the invention; l

Fig. 7 is a side view seen from the rightof the toy when in the position shown `in Figure 6;

Fig. 8 is aplan view of a ,central .block formed of two parts in accordance with one feature of the invention and with single uncompleted blocks shown at each` side thereof;

Fig. 9 is an edge view of two of the pairs of blocks of Figs. 1 and 2 connected face to face;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of three blocks with double acting" hinges connecting the `blocks at angles of Fig. 11 is an edge view seen from the right of Figure 10;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Figure 10 showing hexagonal blocks connected at angles;

Fig. 13 is a combined View showing a variety ofpositions into which the completed toy of Figure 6 may be manipulated;

y Fig. 14 is a View similar to Figure 9 illustrating a diiferent method of constructing the blocks;

Fig. 15 is an edge view simi-lar to Figure 2 showing hinges .for-med of double straps whereby to secure a varied color effect;

Fig. 16 is a perspectiveview .of a pair of blocks connected with double actinghinges, the hinges dilferently colored on the two sides thereof;

Figs. 17 and 18 are plan views of the structure of Figure 16, Opened in diierent positions;

Fig. 19 isa plan view of a form of the inventtion in process'of manufacture in continuation of the stage of Figure 10 which when completed will comprise four .blocks connected -by double acting hinges at 90 angles;

Fig. 20 isan edge view of the lform vof Figure 19 completed; s

Fig 21 is a' plan vview of the structure of Figure 20 and Fig. 22 is a plan View of this form of; the invention opened in one. of its possible positions; c

Fig. 23'is a form of toy in process of manufacture in further continuation of Figures 10 and 19 which comprises when completed six blocks connected into a closed system;

Fig. 24 is an edge view of the completed toy of Figure 2.3' in one of its possible positions of manipulation; I

Fig. 25 is a plan view of a second possible position of the completed form of toy of Figure 23;

Fig. 26 is a view similar to Figure 23 showing a toy comprising when completed eight .blocks connected at A90 angles `with each other by means of double acting hinges;

Figs. 27, 28, 29, and 30 are views of possible positions of manipulation of the completed toy of Figure 26;

Figs. 31 and 32 show in plan view completed toys comprising hexagonal blocks connected by double acting hinges alternately at 90 and 120 angles showing color schemes upon opposite sides thereof;

vFigs. 33 andr34 are diierent positions into which the toy of Figures 31 and 32 may be manipulated;

Fig. 35 is a plan view of a toy in process of manufacture;

Fig. 36 is an edge View of the toy of Figure 35 4folded for connection of one of the half blocks at one end of the chain to the remaining half block at the opposite end of the chain;

Fig. 37 is a plan view of one position into which the toy of Figure 36 may be manipulated; and

Fig. 38 is a plan view showing blocks in the form of polygons with `an odd number of sides.

In the yJacobs ladder above referred to a series of blocks are each connected to an adjacent block at each side thereof, the blocks being in In addition to this possible manipulation oi the toy of Figure 13, the blocks may be brought into the different forms in said figure, among others, thus producing a novel and interesting toy or puzzle.

For the purpose of causing the straps of the hinges to display different colors on their opposite sides, the opposite sides of a single thickness of strap may be vari-colored. As an alternadifierent colors may be superas a single strap in the man- Figure 15, wherein the strap posed and utilized ner illustrated in -52 may be one color and the strap 53 a second alignment in chain formation. The present invention is the result of experimenting with different forms of this toy having theend blocks of the chain connected to form aclosed system. As shown in Figures 1,. 2, .4,` and." 5, single color. Likewise the straps 54 and 55 may be of -other colors diiering from each other and from that of straps 52, 53.

' The spaces 56, 51 and 58 upon one side of the 'block exposed in the position of Figure l5 may blocks 4E), 4lA are shown having one hinge com.-

prising the two straps 42 connected as at '43, 44 to the lower side of the block 40 and'the remaining ends of the straps 42 connected as at 45, 46 to the lower surface of the'block `4I. The single strap 41 comprising the remaining portion of the double acting `hinge is shownas connected at 48 to the lower side of the block 4Ifand at 49 to' the lower side of the block 40. It willbe seen that, all the connections 43, 44, 45, 46, and 48, 49,'are thus brought upon the lower surface of the two blocksas seen `inFigure 1. By this expedient the toy of say Figure 6, may bemade up of elements such as shownin Figures 1, 2, v4, and 5by superpositionof two of the blocks as 40, 4I into the position shown in Figure 8 and9 with the end fastening of the hinges concealed between the blocks.

In Figure 9 I have designated the superposed blocks as 45 and 4l, one element corresponding to Figure.2 beinginverted and reversed in its position in Figure .9. The positions :of Vother pairs of blocks 4D, 4| are shown in dotted lines in Figure 9 in position to form the chain of Figure 6] When the chain ofblocks is. completed after the manner described above and illustratedl in Figure 9, and including the desired number `of blocks as say seven complete blocks andit'wohalfblocks. the chain may be brought to the `position shown in Figure ,6 or. its equivalent andf the end half-blocks of the chain may be secured Vface to face to complete a closed system. Thesystem ready for its nal closure in the positionshown in Figure 6 is shown in side elevation in Figure 7 to illustrate the position of the ends of Athe strapsof the hinges where they `pass about the ends of the blocks 40, 4I. L.

When the blocks are in different positions the straps will fall sometimes withone sidel of the strap exposed and at other times with the other side of the same strap exposed. Thus, if the completed systemof Figure be opened into a hollow square'as, Vshown, atY 50, Figure 13,4 all the inside exposed hinges may be caused to,display a single color and theoutside exposed hinges another color. VIf desired, the exposed rportions of the blocks themselves may be coloredtomatch the exposed portions of the hinges intheposition The open square formation`5'0fniay be turned inside out to Vreve'rse'the color'a'spect'of the two feo also be given diierent colors and diierent from the straps, if desired, and the corresponding spaces :5 9. 6.0 'and GAI may Abecolore'd differently from'. each `otherfand from. any 'of the straps to furthrmodify the color effect when the blocks are opened Fin' different; directions about the double ,acting'hingesz Forsomepurposes it is desirable to form the faces of the blocks of thin material as Celluloid, in which event the blocks of the units, asshown in Figures land 2, 9 or 15 would be so thin that when superposed in the position of Figure 9, the result would be too thin to be effective. `In such case the structure of Figure 14 may .be adopted whereinxthe core' `62 is shown placed between `the blocks when :they are assembled in the manner of Figureg.

As a further development ofv the .invention square ,blocksas shown in Figure 10 may be formedwhich are similar to the blocks `of Figure .1 butthe. assembly of FigureB is carried out in such a manner that each successive block of the .chainisjoined tozthe next block at right angles. In thisxmanner a chainsuch as shown in Figure 19 comprising blocks V4l); 4I may be constructed, Saidchain made up', oft-three complete Blocks when assembled andithe .two `halfblocks 40, 4l projecting,` from tl'1e..,end\v of the` chain. This chain maybe theirfolded into the. position of Figure 20 when the exposed surface of.. block Al, seenlatzthe right of Figure19, willcome face to face with-.themnder surface of the block 40. Theseblocksmay th'enbe `secured together wto produce the completed toy of Figures 20-22 inclusive.; Y., i Angedge .view of this..structure is ishown in Figure 20 and the` side view in Figure 21, lined to show diierent colors. This toy may be opened from the position of Figure 21 to theV position ofligure- 2 2 about the hinges at either side of thedformofJFigure 21, and lfrom the position of Figure 22 may be folded back to the position of 4Figure 21 with a Avsecond face of units exposed on the two sides of the Figure 21 position. Thetoy may 'then be opened about another edge a'ndrb'y manipulation the upper surface of the toy'in the position of Figure 22 maybe caused to display four aspects vari-colored as desired. 'A further form*V of' thetoy of the nature of Figures 19- 22V inclusive maybe formed in themanner'show'nin Figure 23, the chain comprising five complete blocks and two half-blocks. This may be then Vfo'ldedto the position of Figure 24 when the two half blocks will be superposed to bring the lfaces of Athe two half-blocks -40 at thendsof the chain into registry whereupon they may be fastened together. 7

Thisi form .of toy may be manipulated byY opening .jat the points 63, the blocks swinging to .the position shownlin Figure 25,.,which movement may be Vcontinued until the position of Figure24 is again reached but with adiiferent aspect of the blocks exposed on the'l exterior.

Inthis way therefore. theform. of Figurev 24 may be caused ,to display four diiferent'coloref fects .inthe angles thereof, .wherein the` faces of the blocks are exposed.

-In thezform Vof'Figure 26 the blocks .are assembled in the same manner 'asshown in Figure 19 except that seven complete blocks and two half.- blocks. are utilized to Aproduce the'chain. 'Ihis form is then folded .tothe position of Figure `27 whereupon the end half-blocks 40, 41| will be brought face to face and may be secured together to constitute the.v closed system. This form may be folded in the position of Figure 27 or Figure 28.

When in the position o-f Figure 28, the blocks may be manipulated -by opening at the points 64 to the position of Figure 30 after the manner of Figures 24 and 25. They may be also opened into the position of Figure 29 with four blocks exposed, from which position the blocks upon one side may be folded in opposite directions to bring them to the position of Figure 27 from which position they may be opened again to the position of Figure 29 with diierent surfaces exposed and by different manipulations may be caused to display a plurality of different aspects.

In another form of the invention the toy is constructed of polygonal blocks. One form of unit for such blocks is shown in Figure 3 comprising at l65, 66, hexagonal blocks connected to each other by double acting hinges with the ends secured to the blocks at the lower surface thereof. The toys, to be formed of the units of Figure 3 in the same general manner as indicated in Figure 9 for rectangular blocks, will comprise two of the half blocks 65, 66.

The successive blocks of a chain made up of the unit of Figure 3 may be connected in the manner shown in Figure 12 wherein a block 65 is shown superposed on a block 66 With two half blocks 65, 66 projecting from the thus completed unit at an angle of 120 to each other. In this manner a chain may be completed to comprise ve completed blocks and their half blocks, which half blocks may be united to each other to complete the closed system of Figure 31.

This system may be brought to the position of Figure 34 by lifting from the plane the points 61, 68, 69 with a movement forwardly of the adjacent blocks about the hinge joints 10, 1|, and 12, to assume the position of Figure 34. A continuance of this movement will bring the toy into the position of Figure 33 from which position by opening the pairs of blocks 13, 14 and 15 from the opposite side, the position of Figure 34 may be secured, which upon continuance will bring the blocks to the position of Figure 32 with another aspect of the blocks exposed.

In the manner above described hexagonal chains may be shown having four different aspects exposed which may be vari-colored in accordance with the principles already explained.

Instead of connecting the half blocks continuously in the manner shown in Figure 12, they may be connected in the manner of Figure 35 showing ve completed blocks and half blocks 65, 66 at each end thereof. It will be seen that in this chain the 120 angles are reversed whereas in the for-m of Figure 12 the 120 angles depart vin .the same direction .at all' times fromv the preceding block. f

The chain of Figure 35 may be folded to the position of vFigure 36 whereupon the half block 65;-is..brought:face to face withV the remaining half ,block .66 which are then secured together.

This form of the invention may be manipu, lated .in themanner shown in Figure 37 by opening :Withtwo blocks inthe location 16, 11 and oneV block at ,18, 19, from which position they will again .swing .t-o the position of' Figure 36, but at ea'ch movement a different external aspect will appear running through six changes of color. It .aislobvio'us that :other forms vmay be producedubygusing polygons. of different numbers offsides connecting the successiveblocks of the polygons with double acting hinges at different arrangements of angles and by producing the lforms herein shown by varying numbers of blocks in the closed system.

Fundamentally the invention depends upon chains of blocks connected by double acting hinges into a closed system by first producing a chain of such blocks and then by connecting the ends.

The manner of connection of polygons having an uneven num-ber of sides is shown in Figure 38 where pentagons are utilized.

An important feature of the invention in addition to that just mentioned is the provision of a display of varying colors by coloring straps differently upon the two sides or by using two part straps. The cross hatching throughout the drawings with the singe exception of Figure 5 represents color.

The effect of the double acting hinges upon such a closed system and the manipulations possible with the results are difcult to clearly state on paper. However the above vdescription disclosing the manner of construction of the toy will enable those skilled in the art to produce and discover the manipulation of the completed toys by experiments.

Minor changes may be made in the physical embodiments of .the invention within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit thereof.

I claim:

1. A toy comprising, in combination: a plurality of blocks connected in series by double acting hinges; the end blocks of the series connected with each other also by double acting hinges to provide a closed system.

2. A toy comprising, a combination: a plurality of blocks connected in series by double acting hinges; the end blocks of the series connected to each other also by double acting hinges to provide a closed system; certain of the hinges which connect certain of the blocks of the system to one of their adjacent blocks forming an angle other than to the hinges connecting said certain blocks to their other adjacent blocks.

3, A toy formed of a plurality of pairs of single blocks, the blocks of each pair united by double acting strap hinges; alternate of said pairs inverted relative to adjacent pairs and a block of each pair in a series connected face to face with a relatively reversed block of an adjacent pair to provide a chain of compound blocks connected by double acting hinges.

4. A toy comprising, in combination: a chain of the compound blocks of claim 3 with the end single blocks of the chain united face to face in like manner as the said body of the chain to provide a closed system.

`5. The' combination of claim 3 wherein the straps composing the hinges diier in appearance upon opposite sides. Y f

6. The combination of claim 3 wherein the straps composingthehinges are composed of .a double thickness of straps of different appearance. c

V7. The combination of claim 4` inrwhichthe single blocks .are polygons with sides of uniform length and which the resulting Achainis produced by connecting reversed pairs:'of single blocks with the polygons in registrybut with the hinges out of alignment.

8. The combination of claim 3 in which the ends of the straps composing the hinges q are secured to the faces of the single blocks which are opposed by and connected to the reversed faces of the adjacent pairs of single blocks whereby to be' concaledbetween the connected faces.

9. A toy comprising, in combination: a. plurality of rectangularV blocks each connected at opposite .edges toV adjacent like blocks by double acting hinges to `form a closed system.

10. A toycomprising, incombination: a multiple ofiour rectangular blocks each block connected at opposite .edgesto adjacent like blocks by double acting hinges to form a closed system.

11A toyT comprising, in combination: a multiple of four rectangular blocks each connected at opposite edges to adjacent blocks by double acting strap hinges to form a closed system; opposite sides of the straps `forming said hinges differing in appearance.

`NoRMriN F. RUTHERFORD. 

